Your Choice: Digital Stripping or Groping

It's a hot topic these days. TSA and the 3D screening machines. I'm not going to regurgitate the news. But links are below if anyone wants to look at the articles.

Here's my take: We shouldn't have to be treated like criminals if we want to fly anywhere. True, flying is a privilege, not a right. But consider that the TSA's screening process has not caught a single terrorist nor bomber. What caught the would-be terrorists? People. Passengers. TSA employees themselves. Homeland Security's No-Fly list (which admittedly has its own problems, but it is somewhat effective).

Note: the shoe bomber incident was caught by using the old-fashioned x-ray machines and good old-fashioned human observation.

TSA are changing their patdown procedure to be more intimate. They're borrowing from the prison search process. What's next? Cavity searches? There's some talk that TSA is doing this to "encourage" the passengers to opt for the screening.

Complicating matters is some of the new screening machines may emit harmful radiations. While they're not as penetrating as x-rays or MRI scans, they pose risks for high-risk people. Especially melanoma.

In what world is this okay? We're given the choice of having intimate scans taken of our bodies, which are possibly saved, or intimate groping.

It's a privilege, not a right. TSA are telling us if we don't like it, we don't have to fly. But unfortunately, for many people, flying is a requirement. Business fliers account for about 48% of air travel (Source: USTravel.org). How many times are these people groped or scanned? People often need to travel - sometimes quickly - from one end of the country to another. For example, I have family in Pennsylvania. If there was an emergency, or worse, death, it would take me 48 hours of road travel. Six days (8 hrs a day).

Is the choice of being digitally stripped or groped worth the convenience? You tell me. Or better yet, tell your congressman and local news. Let him or her know you're unhappy about this. Speak out. The only way we can get changes made is to voice our opinions.

Related news: 
TSA Chief Says No Change in Airport Scanners, Pat-Downs
John Tyner: "Don't Touch My Junk"
TSA pats down a toddler
EPIC: Info and news regarding screening machines